Toolstation League premier division: Wellington 2-2 Torpoint Athletic

A last-minute equaliser denied Wellington their second premier division victory of the season at the Playing Field on Saturday, November 25.

After their midweek Somerset Premier Cup success at Cheddar, the Tangerines gave another improved display against the seventh-placed visitors who had beaten promotion hopefuls Bridgwater United the previous week.

But their hopes of picking up three important points were dashed right at the death as Gary Hird scrambled the ball home to earn Torpoint a point.

Wellington boss Richard Cherry was without dual-registered striker Josh Baker, who was back with Willand Rovers, but welcomed Miles Quick back into a defensive role alongside skipper Tom Stone.

His side started brightly but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 25 minutes as Ryan Smith’s superb dipping shot into the far top corner gave keeper Shay Allen no chance.

There was never much to choose between the sides and Wellington equalised four minutes before half-time. A free-kick into the box saw Mark Cornish’s attempted overhead kick drop to Sully McKenna who hooked the ball home.

Chances were few and far between in the second half but it was the Tangerines who grabbed the initiative with 13 minutes remaining.

Substitute Gabriel Plant slipped a delighted ball through to Ryan Brereton – back up front in place of Baker – and he produced a cool finish past keeper Ryan Rickard.

That was the signal for Torpoint to launch repeated attacks in search of an equaliser and they were eventually rewarded right at the death.

Although Wellington were disappointed to concede so late, they will have taken heart from another encouraging performance ahead of next Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Buckland Athletic.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Miles Quick, Josh Young, Lewis Jennings, Glen Wright, Josh Lukins, Kieran Ireland, Sully McKenna, Ryan Brereton. Substitutes: Ryan Hibbert, Gabriel Plant, Rohan Poulsom, James Cottrill.